University of California-Davis Top Questions

As I was making my college decision, I thought I needed to pick the "right" school. I wanted to feel something click between me and the school to let me know, "this is it." But I never had that feeling, and I eventually just picked a school. I now believe this feeling can actually become dangerous if it alone determines the campus you select. College is less about the school, and more about what you make of wherever you are. Of course you want a good education, but you could attend the top school in the world and gain nothing. So do not worry about picking the "right" school. Rather concern yourself with finding a good school, and then work to make your experience what you desire. Reach outside of yourself to make new friends, keeping in mind you can forge lifelong relationships. Focus on your classes, and give your academics your best, for they are incredibly important, but remember they comprise only part of your experience. Involve yourself in clubs and activities where you can meet people you share interests with. Your choices at school, not the college itself, determine the quality and character of your experience.

Approach people! Chances are, your friend of six years may not be going to the same college as you will be attending. Perhaps not even a third of your friends will be seeing you ever again. So what are your options? Sit in your dorm room going online all day and ruining your eyesight or going out and meeting new people who may potentially be your best man or woman at your wedding a few years down the road. This is not to say that you should cut off connections with old friends, but to say that this is college and you will need someone to spend time with; whether it is studying for the next midterm or working out at the gym. Try to meet as many people as possible; get their phone numbers and invite them to lunch or even dinner. Do not be scared of being friendly and asking for phone numbers because they know that while you are a stranger, you are a stranger attending the same college. No one will think you are out of the ordinary because deep down, they, too, have the same goal; to avoid being lonely on their upcoming birthday.

Take risks, apply to schools with full knowledge of your capability and to which locales you feel comfortable with. Do you like the city or the small college town experience? Ask yourself if you will be motivated in a comeptitive environment or learn better in a less stressed student body.

The first piece of major advice I would give to myself would be to know that the school that I attend will not be leaving so it is important for me to take my time and do things effectively not just doing to rush and be out. I also would take into consideration of majoring in what most interest me, even if it were music and knowing that no matter what major you major in you can still successfully get yourself into a great Medical School. Another very important piece of advice I would give myself would be to maximize all campus opportunities and help around you. There are so mnay different campus resources that people do not know about, but it would be important to set myself up with a mentor to help guide me through my steps at least for my first 2 years in college. The last piece of advice I would give myself would be to never doubt myself and realize that I am not going through college alone and have family that fully supports me so it is very important to talk about things and never go through anything alone!

If I went back in time to give myself advice about college life and making the transistion, I would first tell myself that community college is a great decision, but that I should go straight into a four year college instead. I did a couple years at a community college and I liked it a lot, but I feel that the transition into a four year college was a lot more difficult from a community college.

?Education? at the University level is unlike any prior conceptual connotation of the term. Sure, there are still Mathematics and Literature, History and Social Sciences, but the purpose of ?Education? in college evolves from the universals of high school to focusing on individual development and understanding. This is where you will discover who you are; this is where the identity you will carry for the rest of your life is formed and perfected. Don?t hold yourself back. Don?t anticipate or assume you already know who you are and most importantly, be open to change. Pursue any and all trades you deem worthy, allow your passions to develop, and allow new interests entry into your ever-growing identity. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable, be ready to learn, jump over boundaries and meet as many people as you can. Each and every experience you partake in will become a part of you ? don?t be scared of the bad and make sure to embrace the good. These are the years in which you will learn to define who you are as an individual and determine your role in the society around you.

The first thing I would tell myself is to not worry about what other people think. Everyone makes mistakes, and no matter how hard one tries, they're still going to happen. It's all a matter of getting back up and carrying on. Having the confidence to take actions, even if some are embarassing, is something people won't ague with. I would also suggest to get out there and get plugged into the community, to engage with people and not be afraid but be bold.

Study more and actually learn the material. Actually read the books.

If I could go back to high school and give advice to myself I would tell myself to work harder and do more activities after school. Since I did not try hard enough during high school and did not enjoy my high school years so much; I had many regrets when I went to college. I would tell myself to have better time management. I have many troubles with time management during college, if I start practice it during high school, that will helps me a lot during college. I would tell myself to study and pay attention in class during high school, because I did not study or pay attention in class so when I went to college, there are many things that I supposed to know but I did not have any clue. There are many more advices that I could do to help the transition to college life easier for me and for everyone.

I would have told myself to look into all scholarship options. I felt that there wasn't enough time to look into scholarship information. Now I understand how financially straining university life is especially since my parents were not able to help fund my education. I would have also taken resume seminars to help ensure career employment after graduation.